CLEVELAND: LeBron James’ quick recovery had flu-stricken fans and perhaps even now-ailing Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue lusting over the effective treatment his star received.
Three-point specialist Kyle Korver proved to be a quick healer as well.
After sitting out Saturday night’s loss to the Chicago Bulls with strep throat, James returned to the lineup Monday night against the Milwaukee Bucks at Quicken Loans Arena. It was a welcome sight since the Cavs are 4-19 without the four-time league MVP since the start of the 2014-15 season.
James’ first-quarter play showed the antibiotics apparently worked quickly. James hit his first three field goals and pulled down four rebounds, proving his energy level was not in question. He also guarded Giannis Antetokounmpo for some of the game — with Richard Jefferson handling the bulk of the defensive duty — as the Bucks’ first-time All-Star was held to nine points on 4-of-13 shooting, although he added seven points and eight assists.
But for much of the game, the Cavs seemed content to trade baskets with the Bucks. There was no visible lift from the signing of ex-Dallas Maverick Deron Williams as their backup point guard, at least not until he was introduced in the fourth quarter. Williams may play Wednesday when the Cavs visit the Boston Celtics.
The Cavs saved their surge for the final 5½ minutes. James finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in 37 minutes, and Kyrie Irving added 25 points and nine assists as the Cavs pulled out a 102-95 victory in the final game of a three-game homestand.
Improving to 3-1 against the Bucks this season and finishing February with a 9-2 record, the Cavs will play 12 road games in March, including an extended stay in Los Angeles.
Questionable with James was Korver, who suffered a bruised right knee in an awkward fall in the fourth quarter of Saturday night’s loss to the Chicago Bulls. But Korver played 29 minutes and totaled 13 points, although he hit just 3-of-9 3-pointers.
The Cavs jumped out to a 17-6 first-quarter lead before the Bucks decided to throw the ball inside to Greg Monroe, who finished the period with eight points as they cut the Cavs’ lead to 27-25.
Michael Beasley pumped in seven points in the second quarter before hyperextending his left knee defending James, sidelining Beasley the rest of the game. Before tipoff, Bucks coach Jason Kidd touted Beasley for the league’s Most Improved Player award. The Bucks were already without Kris Middleton, who was rested.
Fortunately for the Cavs, Irving continued his torrid surge. Irving extended his string of consecutive 20-poingames to nine. Always a thorn in the Bucks’ side, Irving has scored at least 20 in 15 of his 20 career games against the Bucks, including all four this season.
Irving also became the eighth player in franchise history to total 2,000 career assists, now standing at 2,008. He needs eight to pass Andre Miller and move into seventh place on the Cavs’ all-time list.
Malcolm Brogdan led the Bucks with 20 points and five assists.
The game did not follow the Cavs’ usual model against the Bucks.
In the previous three games, the Cavs averaged 15.3 3-pointers and shot a combined .434 (46-106) from beyond the arc. Monday night, the deep ball didn’t fall; the Cavs finished 10-of-27 (37 percent) from long distance.
The Bucks’ Matthew Dellavedova could relate. The former Cavs’ backup point went 2-for-10 from the field after hitting 0-for-6 Sunday night in a victory over Phoenix. Dellavedova has shot 7-of-29 in four games against Cleveland this season.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her blog at www.ohio.com/marla. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.